Kittiwake hangover

 The strong overnight wind quickly eased, as did the overnight rain. After that light wind and some sunshine.

South shore

I went along the sea wall just as it was getting light (MD). It was still raining and the wind still strong, but both were quickly easing. I wanted to see what remained of yesterday evening's Kittiwake, it was a shame that the tide was out.

Kittiwake c40 - initially there were c30 in the harbour, mainly in the waterfall area, plus another 10 on the outflows and along the sea wall. But as the wind eased further they started making their way out of the harbour and some headed out, but others fed on both outflows.

These are mainly Kittiwake around the secondary waterfall, obviously it was still barely light.

There was as many around the main waterfall. 

As they were drifting out of the harbour some stopped off for a bit of a wash.....

........and brush up

Adult Kittiwake, drifting in the early morning light.
An altogether more peaceful scene than yesterday evening!

First winter Kittiwake (bottom) with Black-Headed Gull

When I was walking back there were still double figures in the harbour plus c15 on the two outflows.

Shag 1 feeding on the main waterfall 

Shag and Cormorant on the waterfall 

Pale-bellied Brent goose 3 - flew out.

Pale-bellied Brent flying past the buoy that was "missing" the other day

Rock Pipit 3 - they seemed to a territorial bird near No.1 outflow plus 2 together along the sea wall, that had gotten too close. It always amazes me how they can find food where you wouldn't expect. This is the corner of No.1 outflow. It would have been washed over (cleansed) by the wind driven waves at early morning high water. But clearly the pipit is finding something, they look like tiny marine snails.

Jean had a walk along the sea wall at lunchtime and did a thorough check of the Kittiwakes:

In total there were 26 Kittiwakes in the harbour, 5 of them 1st winters. 3 adult and 1 x 1st winter were on Heysham 1 outfall and 4 adult and 1 x 1st winter on Heysham 2 outfall. 20 Kittiwakes followed the ferry including 2 or 3 1st winters.

Jean's shot of the harbour kittiwake lined up, on the "old kittiwake" pipe near the waterfall 

208 Wigeon were near Heysham 2 outfall at low tide. 

Pete and Jean also checked the skear from Knowlys Rd:

Pale-bellied Brent goose 46 

Dark-bellied Brent goose 1

I did one more check of the south sea wall towards evening high water, only 23 Brent geese were visible on Red Nab, but some could have been behind the peripheral rocks. Kittiwake were pretty much as seen by Jean other than a further 25 that came in behind the SeaTruck.

I managed to read two more ringed gulls:

This Polish ringed Black-Headed gull was ringed as a pullus 13/06/2017
It has been seen at Heysham every winter since, but this is the first record this winter,
partly as increased dredging has reduced gull numbers roosting on the harbour platforms 

This young Herring gull is another of the NW England gull project
It took some manoeuvring to be able to see all the characters - details awaited

Finally, a first winter Kittiwake against the evening light